7.42°C Vancouver

Jan 14, 2021 8:24 PM -

24 years after Reena Virk's murder, parole board continues Kelly Ellard's release

Share On
24-years-after-reena-virks-murder-parole-board-continues-kelly-ellards-release
Kelly Ellard and her father, Lawrence, leave the Vancouver courthouse on March 30, 2000. The now 38-year-old woman convicted of murdering teenager Reena Virk near Victoria in 1997 will be allowed to continue her day parole. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Adrian Wyld

The 38 year old woman convicted of murdering teenager Reena Virk near Victoria in 1997 will be allowed to continue her day parole.

The Parole Board of Canada has released its ruling on Kelly Ellard, who now goes by the name of Kerry Sim.

In a decision released Thursday, the board says Sim, now the mother of two young children, remains "positive and compliant" in the community and continues to have high reintegration potential.

Her day parole was expanded last summer to allow her to live away from a residential facility for up to five days each week and the parole board is continuing that order for another six months.

It says Sim's case management team reports she has demonstrated remorse for Virk's murder, takes full responsibility for the attack and believes the best way to show her remorse is to "live a pro-social life in honour of the victim and her family."

Sim was 15 when she and a group of teens beat Virk and then she and an accomplice followed the injured girl, beat her again and drowned her in the Gorge waterway.

Latest news

federal-ministers-signal-possible-ai-safety-reforms-after-openai-handling-of-b-c-shooting-case
CanadaFeb 25, 2026

Federal ministers signal possible AI safety reforms after OpenAI handling of B.C. shooting case

Federal ministers say Ottawa is prepared to consider new safeguards around artificial intelligence tools following questions about how OpenAI handled warning signs linked to a deadly shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The issue has drawn national attention after reports revealed that the accused shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar, had been removed from OpenAI’s ChatGPT platform months before the February 10 killings. According to reporting first published by The Wall Street Journal, the account was shut down over troubling posts that referenced violent scenarios, including gun use. Howe
b-c-police-step-up-enforcement-for-distracted-driving-and-seatbelt-violations-in-march
BCFeb 25, 2026

B.C. police step up enforcement for distracted driving and seatbelt violations in March

Police across British Columbia are increasing enforcement this month as part of province-wide campaigns targeting distracted driving and seatbelt compliance. BC Highway Patrol says officers will be closely monitoring drivers who use electronic devices behind the wheel or fail to properly secure themselves and their passengers. The initiative coincides with Distracted Driving Month and the Occupant Restraint Campaign, both aimed at reducing serious injuries and fatalities on provincial roads. Inspector Brian Donaldson with BC Highway Patrol is urging motorists to eliminate distractions before s
AlbertaFeb 25, 2026

Alberta introduces bill to transition sheriffs into new provincial police service

The Alberta government has tabled legislation that would shift approximately 1,200 Alberta Sheriffs employees into a newly created provincial police agency, marking a significant step in the province’s ongoing discussion about the future of policing. If passed, the bill would establish the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service and allow it to assume local policing responsibilities currently provided by the RCMP, should municipalities choose to opt in. The proposed model is designed to give communities the option of moving away from federal policing services toward a provincially managed force. Pub
two-men-charged-after-alleged-attempted-kidnapping-linked-to-organized-crime-in-calgary
AlbertaFeb 25, 2026

Two men charged after alleged attempted kidnapping linked to organized crime in Calgary

Two men are facing criminal charges after Calgary police say officers disrupted what investigators describe as a violent attempted kidnapping in the city’s downtown earlier this month. The Calgary Police Service said a patrol sergeant witnessed an assault in progress shortly after midnight on February 17 and intervened immediately. Officers allege the incident involved an attempt to forcibly abduct an individual. The victim was taken to hospital for treatment and has since been released. Police said the suspects fled the scene in a vehicle but were located and arrested a short time later. In
canada-pledges-8-million-in-food-aid-for-cuba-as-u-s-fuel-blockade-continues
CanadaFeb 25, 2026

Canada pledges $8 million in food aid for Cuba as U.S. fuel blockade continues

The Government of Canada has announced an $8 million food assistance package for people in Cuba in response to mounting shortages of basic goods aggravated by a tightened U.S. oil blockade, federal officials said Wednesday. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai said the funding is intended to help address urgent needs for food and nutrition among vulnerable communities on the Caribbean island. The aid will be delivered through United Nations partners, including the World Food Programme and UNICEF, rather than through the Cuban

Related News